1
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ELIHU ANSWERED (continued his discourse) and said, |
2
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Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who have [so much] knowledge. |
3
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For the ear tries words as the palate tastes food. |
4
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Let us choose for ourselves that which is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. |
5
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For Job has said, I am [innocent and uncompromisingly] righteous, but God has taken away my right; [Job 33:9.] |
6
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Would I lie against my right? Yet, notwithstanding my right, I am counted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression. |
7
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What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing and scorning like water, |
8
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Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity and walks with wicked men? |
9
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For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God and consent to Him. |
10
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Therefore hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that He should commit iniquity. |
11
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For according to the deeds of a man God will [exactly] proportion his pay, and He will cause every man to find [recompense] according to his ways. |
12
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Truly God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. |
13
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Who put [God] in charge over the earth? Or who laid on Him the whole world? |
14
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If [God] should set His heart upon him [man] and withdraw His [life-giving] spirit and His breath [from man] to Himself, |
15
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All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. [Ps. 104:29; Eccl. 12:7.] |
16
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If now you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. |
17
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Is it possible that an enemy of right should govern? And will you condemn Him Who is just and mighty? |
18
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[God] Who says to a king, You are worthless and vile, or to princes and nobles, You are ungodly and evil? |
19
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[God] is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of His hands. |
20
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In a moment they die; even at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no [human] hand. |
21
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For [God's] eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps. [Ps. 34:15; Prov. 5:21; Jer. 16:17.] |
22
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There is no darkness nor thick gloom where the evildoers may hide themselves. |
23
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[God] sets before man no appointed time, that he should appear before [Him] in judgment. |
24
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He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry [before a jury] and in ways past finding out and sets others in their stead. [Dan. 2:21.] |
25
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Therefore He takes knowledge of their works, and He overturns them in the night, so that they are crushed and destroyed. |
26
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God strikes them down as wicked men in the open sight of beholders, |
27
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Because they turned aside from Him and would not consider or show regard for any of His ways, [I Sam. 15:11.] |
28
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So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, and He heard the cry of the afflicted. [Exod. 22:23; James 5:4.] |
29
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When He gives quietness (peace and security from oppression), who then can condemn? When He hides His face [withdrawing His favor and help], who then can behold Him [and make Him gracious], whether it be a nation or a man by himself?-- |
30
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That the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people. |
31
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For has anyone said to God, I have borne my chastisement; I will not offend any more; |
32
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Teach me what I do not see [in regard to how I have sinned]; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more? |
33
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Should [God's] recompense [for your sins] be as you will it, when you refuse to accept it? For you must do the choosing, and not I; therefore say what is your truthful conclusion. |
34
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Men of understanding will tell me, indeed, every wise man who hears me [will agree], |
35
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That Job speaks without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom and insight. |
36
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[Would that Job's afflictions be continued and] he be tried to the end because of his answering like wicked men! |
37
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For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his unacknowledged sin; he claps his hands [in open mockery and contempt of God] among us, and he multiplies his words of accusation against God. |
Job 34:1 English Language Bible Words basic statistical display
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